Coin-controlled vending apparatus



2 SheetsSheet 1. H. L. HOOK. COIN CONTROLLED VENDING APPARATUS.

(No Model.)

Patented Aug. 15, 1893.

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2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Patented Aug. 15, 1893.

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j aw J a l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY LIONEL HOOK, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE HESS POSTAL FACILITY AND SUPPLY OOMPANYKJF IVEST VIRGINIA.

COIN-CONTROLLED VENDING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 503,139, dated August 15, 1893.

Application filed September 10, 1892. Serial No. 445,532. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HARRY LIONEL HOOK, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Ooin Oontrolled Vending Apparatus, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings.

My invention consists of a coin-controlled vending apparatus having novel means for releasing the tray or carrier by which the article is Withdrawn from the casing and the slot is closed while said trayis in withdrawn position, or its storage chamber is empty, and other novel features exist, as will be hereinafter fully set forth.

Figure 1 represents a vertical section of a coin-controlled vending apparatus embodying my invention. Figs. 2 and 8 are sections of detached portions, showing different positions and parts. Fig.4 represents a top View of a portion of the tray of the apparatus and the controlling dog thereof. Fig. 5 represents a horizontal section on line w, m, Fig. 1. Fig. 6 represents a perspective view of a portion of the tray. Figs. 7 and 8 represent perspective views of the dog as aforesaid. Figs. 9, 10 and .11 represent vertical sections of portions of the tray and casing, and the means employed for closing the throat through which the articles are to be withdrawn. Fig. 12 represents a vertical section of a portion on line a a 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

Referring to the drawings:A designates a box or casing, in the bottom of which is a drawer B, to receive a coin or money properly deposited in the box.

0 designates a sliding tray which is guided in the casing A above the drawer B, and has mounted on its rear portion a tilting dog D, whose nose is adapted to engage with either of the serrations E on the bracket E, which is secured to the wall of the casing A. Connected with said wall and with the tray 0, are springs F, for returning the latter to its normal position. IVithin the casing A, is a vertical divisional plate G, which forms the chamber H for containing articles to be sold, which may be envelopes, stamps, writing paper, did, it being noticed that said chamber II has at its base the front or main portion of the tray 0.

Placed on apile of articles within the chamber II, is a follower J, the same acting as a weight which is superimposed upon said articles.

Within the casing A, is a chute K, which extends from the upper part of the front of the casing to a point above the front end of the dog D, said chute being open at both ends, the upper end communicating with the slot L on the front of the casing A. In the forward part of the dog D, is a recess M, whose rear end is widened as at N, it being noticed that the width of the recess M is less than the diameter of the coin that is to enter the same, and that of the wide part N is at least greater than the diameter of the coin, as will be seen in Figs. 7 and 8.

ithin the casing A at the rear of the chute K, there is mounted a vertical arm P, whose lower end is bifurcated and depending in such manner as to be engaged by the rear portions Q of the tray 0, when said tray is in its normal position, as will be seen in Fig. 5.

In the casing A above the chute K and arm P, is a swinging arm R, the front end of which is provided with a tooth S,whioh when said arm is operated, is adapted to enter between the front end of the chute K, and rear of the slot L, thus closing said slot for preventing insertion of the coin into the chute when the tray C is withdrawn, and furthermore, to prevent such insertion of the coin when the chamber H is emptied. In the latter case, a cord T is employed, the same being secured by a pin U to the arm R, in front of the axis thereof, and depending from said pin in two lengths around the chute K, and having its lower end secured to the follower J, said cord being of such length, that when the follower reaches its lowest point, its weight will cause the arm 5 jecting arm W, which is adapted to be engaged by the arm P, the latter having also connected with it a spring X, which is secured to a proper part of the casing A, so that when the tray 0 is drawn out, and thus moves from the arm P, the spring X becomes operative, and serves to draw said arm P in such manner that while its lower end presses against the arm W, and consequently operates the register V, the upper end of the arm P bears against the heel of the arm R, thus raising the same, and causing the descent and closing action of the tooth S of said arm.

WVhen the tray is returned to its closing position, its parts Q press against the forked ends of the arm P, whereby the arm W of the register is released, and the arm R is also clear of the upper end of said arm P, whereby the tooth S is raised, and the slot L is uncovered, these motions being illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, it being noticed that the heel of the arm R is weighted so that the return motion of the said arm R is automatic in its nature.

As the springs F may be weak or become weak in their nature, and thus not fully return the tray C to its normal position, I provide the bracket E with two teeth E, so that the dog D will at least catch the forward tooth E, and lock said tray, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

In the wall of the casing A, just above the throat Y, through which the articles are removable by the tray 0, is a vertically rising and falling plate Z, guided in said casing and the sides of the tray 0 have inclined planes Z thereon, the same being so disposed that it rides on said planes as the tray 0 is being returned to its normal position, by which provision, when the tray is withdrawn, the plate Z descends and rests on the body proper of the tray G, thus closing the throat Y, and preventing the abstraction of articles from the base of the chamber H, by an implement introduced into the throat Y, the plate Z acting as an obstacle to said implement, as will be evident by reference to Fig. 11. WVhen, however, the tray is in its normal position, its vertical end fully fills the throat Y, and the plate Z occupies its elevated position, as will be seen in Fig. 1, it being evidentthatin this case, insertion of an implement into said throat Y is prevented, and but a single article can be ejected at one time.

The operation is as follows: hen an article is required, a proper coin is introduced into the slot L, and it descends the chute K, and strikes the forward end or limb of the dog D, thus tilting the same, and raising its nose from the tooth of the bracket E, see Fig. 3. The tray 0 is now withdrawn, and the dog D in its tilted position follows the same. Owing to the shoulder O on the portion of the tray in front of said dog, the lowermost article in the chamber H is carried forward with the tray through the throat Y, and brought to the front, where it is readily removable.

Meanwhile the coin being partly in the lower end of the chute K, and restingin the recess M of the dog D, holds the dog in such position clear of the teeth E, and when the wide part N of the recess is beneath the coin, the latter drops through said part into the drawer B, which as is proper, is under control of a lock and key. The spring X now draws the arm P, whereby the register V is operated, and the tooth or limbs S lowered, closing the slot L, and preventing the insertion of the coin until the tray O is being returned to its normal position. hen the article is removed from the tray, the latter is pushed in, and the dog D, which has meanwhile righted itself, engages with the bracket E, and the tray is accordingly relocked. As the arm is pressed in by the returning tray, it assumes its normal position, and the tooth S rises so that the slot is re-opeued and another coin may be introduced through the same, into the chute K. Should the springs F, be insufiicient to return the tray 0 to its normal position, the dog D may, nevertheless, engage with the front tooth E on the bracket E, thus locking the tray controlling the apparatus. When this occurs, it is indicated by the position of the knob or handle 0 of the tray, when the tray may be fully pushed in by hand, so that the box engages with the rear tooth E on the bracket E, if this is desired.

Owing to the slot M of the dog D, which is narrower than the diameter of the proper coin introduced into the apparatus, should a smaller coin be so introduced, it will be directed by the chute K to the opening M, and drop through the same, without imparting a tilting and unlocking motion to the dog. The tooth S has a sharp or knife edge, so that should a coin with a string be inserted into the chute, and attempt be made to withdraw the coin by such string, the latter will be cut.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a coin-controlled vending apparatus, a box with a coin entrance slot and an article discharging slot, a chute leading from said coin slot to a coin receiving box, a sliding discharging tray provided with a returning spring, a tilting dog having an opening of varying width, means for locking said dog, a pivoted arm in rear of said chute adapted to be engaged by the tray, and an arm engaged by said pivoted arm, and provided with a tooth for closing said coin entrance slot, said parts being combined substantially as described.

2. In a coin-controlled vending apparatus, a box with coin slot and an article discharging slot, an article receptacle within said box, a sliding tray below said article receptacle, with means for discharging said articles, a chute leading from said coin slot, a tilting dog with an opening of varying width therein, a serrated bracket for locking said dog, a pivoted arm operated by the movement of said tray, and a second pivoted arm operated by the last-mentioned arm and provided with a tooth for closing the coin slot, said parts being combined substantially as described.

3. A box with a coin slot and an article discharging slot, a vertical partition forming an article receptacle, a sliding tray with means for discharging said articles, a chute leading from said coin slot, a tilting dog with a coin opening therein, locking means for said dog, a pivoted arm operated by the movement of said tray, a second pivoted arm with tooth closing said coin slot, a follower in said article receptacle, and a cord secured to said lastmentioned pivoted arm and said follower, said scribed.

HARRY LIONEL HOOK. WVitnesses:

J OHN A. WIEDERsHEIM,

A. P. JENNINGS. 

